INSTRUCTIVE

Packer Tests

1 Permeability tests
One of the tasks stipulated in the drilling campaign involves the execution of
packer tests (Lugeon test), during the drilling of the subvertical well (and
subhorizontal if it is operationally possible). In these drilling operations, they will be carried out
between 5 to 6 tests per well (at different depths). Figure 1 shows a
scheme that shows the conceptualization of this test within the survey
using tire packers (inflated with nitrogen), however, the use is possible
of hydraulic packers, inflated with water. The decision on the type of packer to use depends
from the drilling company, however the procedure for conducting the test
it is the same (camera cleaning and Lugeon test).

The methodology applied for the execution of these tests is broken down into the following
stages.

2 Selection of the section to be tested

The permeability tests to be conducted in this well are 'single' packer tests.
against the background of the drilling during advancement. The depths at which
these tests are determined by VAI personnel in the field, analyzing the
recently extracted witnesses, based mainly on the following criteria:

• Important fracture zones (high fracture frequency and low rates of

RQD).

• Presence of major structures such as faults with significant influence halos.

• Variations in the hydrogeological-geotechnical unit / structural regime.

• Geological variations in the rock lithology and the type of alteration over-
tax.

3 Cleaning procedure for test chamber

The procedure for the removal of drilling additives in the testing chamber
It is detailed below:

• The first step involves washing the well, by injecting clean water to
dilute the polymers. This operation continues until clean water comes out of the well.

• The necessary bars are removed to clear the chamber in the chosen area for the
packer test (number of bars given by VAI personnel in the field).

• The static level should be measured (allowing time for it to stabilize). Given
if the drilling is inclined, its depth must be corrected in the
 subsequent calculations. The drilling company must provide a piezometer in
good conditions and with graduation to the millimeter.

• Next, the packer equipment is introduced into the well, held by a

continuous sampler, wire-line and hose of the packer equipment, through the interior
from the drilling bars, positioning itself partially in the open well or
test section, anchoring to the drilling crown. In this way, the
the lower packer adheres to the geological formation and the upper packer does so to the
interior of the bars. The packer does not inflate.

• Inject pure hypochlorite by gravity through the interior of the bars (according to calculation
delivered by VAI personnel.

• Inject solution (water-sodium hypochlorite at 5%) with the pump, the packer remains
deflated, and the packaging (head seal) closes. The volume of solution to
injecting is equal to the volume of the well minus the test chamber.

• The packer is inflated with nitrogen gas. The inflation pressures are estimated at
starting from the working pressure curve of the packer and the estimated water load
about him, for this it is necessary that the company conducting the tests delivers to
personal VAI the equipment manual with the corresponding curves. Generally
these values are between 400 and 1000psi.

• Inject water according to the minimum test pressure (0.5 bar) for 20 minutes.
During this stage, it is important to check that there is no water leak from the
collar of the well (indicating that the packer has not sealed the chamber or it has occurred
geological bypass), nor from any of the connections of the water circuit. As
In addition to the security measure, it is also necessary to verify that all the hoses that
They must work under pressure and be properly secured with nets or chains.

• After this operation is complete, the well is left to rest for 70 minutes.

• The packer is deflating.

• Inject clean water to remove hypochlorite, the packing is maintained.

closed (water volume equal to the volume of the well).

• Open the packing and inflate the packer, fill the column with water eliminating
the bubbles with a key.

• Finally, the seal is made, the packer is inflated (according to the same calculation
previously used) and starts the packer test.

4 Procedure for the packer test (Lugeon test)

The procedure applied for the development of a packer test is summarized as
continuation:

• The injection pressures are calculated based on the vertical depth of

the test section below the ground surface in meters, multiplied by 1.42,
obtaining the pressure in psi. A safety factor of 25% is considered, with
The maximum pressure used corresponds to 75% of the calculated maximum value.
 • The packer tests were conducted with 5 variations of injection pressure,
broken down into 50%, 75%, 100%, 75%, 50% of the previously calculated maximum pressure.

• Once the pressures for each stage of the test have been estimated, they are recorded.
injection flows. Each stage considers an interval of 10 minutes, during
which recorded pressure and injection measurements every 2 minutes. Both VAI
how the company executing the tests keeps a record of the volumes
injected during the test, in order to ensure the obtaining of the
information.

• After the end of the first injection stage, the flows are increased.
injection until pressure stabilization is achieved for the next stage.
Recording the injection pressures and flow rates every 2 minutes for a period.
for a period of 10 minutes. This procedure is repeated for each one of the
stages.

• At the end of the test, the packer is deflated and removed from the well.
resuming drilling until reaching the next test zone.

The following technical considerations must be taken into account when preparing
the materials and conduct the packer tests:

• In the event that the pump used for the test corresponds to that of the machine
(piston pump), it is necessary to include in the circuit of water to be injected
a "flow stabilizer" that generates a constant flow of water to the interior of
pit (a necessary situation to consider the test valid). This equipment does not
it is necessary in case of having a centrifugal pump.

• The totalizer (volume meter) must be digital and be properly installed.

calibrated, allowing for greater precision in measurements in relation to a
analog totalizer, especially if tests are carried out in areas from low to very
low permeability.

• The water injection system must have a valve that prevents backflow.
he has been in the well during the test.

• The selection of the test sections is the responsibility of VAI personnel, however the
The company supervisor conducting the tests must review the selected section.
to determine if there is a risk of damaging the packer equipment.
Figure 1 Test configuration of packersimple
Figure 2 Double packer test setup
 Figure 3 Format of the booklet for field data collection

Project Drilling diameter : PACKER TEST NO.

Surveys: Inclination drilling : Supervisor
Date: Depth :

Static level measured (m.b.n.t. (INCL) : Tipo de Packer: double simple P° max (psi)
Real static level (m.b.n.t) : Upper limit section: (m) INC. P° int (psi)
Height measurement (m.a.s.l. (INCL) : Upper limit real section: (m) P° min (psi)
Height measurement (m.s.n.t. real) : Lower limit section: (m) INC. P° theoretical max. (psi):

Height manometer (m.a.s.l.) : Lower limit of real section: (m) Pack inflating pressure (bar):

flow control
Stage/ Time Volume Average flow Average flow instant pressure
Partial admission (lt)
theoretical pressure (min) Acumulado (lt) (l/s) (lpm) Time Volume (bar)
caudal
(min or sec) (m3 or L)

10

10

10

10

10